Stories That Shape Us

Dami is an Organisational design and development expert and coach with extensive experience in training design and delivery across some of the biggest brands and companies in the UK and the world; He presently works as a Vice-president in JPM Morgan Chase and dedicates volunteer time as the regional lead for a Business resource group called Black Organisation for Leadership Development. 

🔗 Connect with Dami

⁠🌐 LinkedIn

Join us for an interesting and fun conversation with our guest, Dami, as we uncover the power of competence in building confidence and the impact of leaving a positive legacy. Through Dami's story of resilience and resourcefulness as a Nigerian immigrant in the UK, discover how his journey, at different times driven by faith, family, and personal growth, led him to overcome challenges and to create a career for himself.

Dive into the heart of Dami's immigrant experience, from culture shock to the struggle for work opportunities, and how his determination transformed a lack of resources into newfound skills. We discuss the significance of developing transferable skills and humbly embracing opportunities for learning and growth, all while keeping one's ego in check. Learn how Dami's people skills and focus on personal development allowed him to transition into a new career and make informed decisions.

In this episode, we share valuable insights on humility, breaking goals down into manageable stages, and the importance of focusing on personal development. Listen in as Dami's story encourages you to embrace the power of competence, religious tolerance, and the pursuit of a lasting legacy.

Rapid-fire questions

Favourite book: Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

Favourite food: Spaghetti

Favourite holiday destination: Canary Islands, Spain

Three inspirational leaders you'd want to have dinner with: Nelson Mandela, Barack Obama and Jamie Dimon

If you could have only three apps on your phone, what would they be: Youtube, Google Maps and Instagram

Three most influential people in your life: Dami's mum, Dami's manager (Kevin Cameron) and Dami's kids

🧰 Resources mentioned

Books: Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

Enoch Adeyemi FCCA is the Founder of Black Professionals Scotland which is an organisation founded to support Black ethnic minority students and professionals. He is a chartered accountant and has built a wealth of knowledge in Financial & Regulatory Reporting. He currently consults within the financial services. Previously, Enoch has consulted at Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group, Abrdn, and NatWest Group and more.  

Enoch started Black Professionals Scotland (previously Edinburgh Black Professionals) in 2016 after the desire to provide a support network for Black students and professionals in Scotland. He was inspired by his personal experience of graduating in the middle of the 2007/2008 financial crisis, wherein he struggled to get a job post-graduation, coupled with his challenges of navigating a new country and new culture with no support network. Black Professionals Scotland grew significantly after the death of George Floyd as the world, corporates and individuals started paying attention to inequality in the workplace. Black Professionals Scotland currently partners with about 25 organisations including BlackRock, Barclays, ScotRail and Police Scotland.

Enoch is also a co-founder of VisitNigeriaNow, Black Scottish Adventurers and Black Alliance Scotland. He recently launched The Black Scottish Awards which will recognise Black excellence in Scotland and the inaugural event is taking place in Edinburgh in October 2023.
Enoch grew up in Nigeria and relocated to the UK to study Accounting at the University of Liverpool. He graduated and went on to the University of Stirling in Scotland to complete a Masters in Finance programme. Enoch started his career in Accounting with an Asset Management company in Edinburgh after which he studied and became ACCA qualified in 2012.

🔗 Connect with Enoch

⁠🌐 LinkedIn

On this episode of Stories That Shape Us, Enoch shares insightful stories on varying topics from the impact of his upbringing on him to the importance of dreaming big dreams and surrounding yourself with the right company to overcoming challenges while climbing the corporate ladder amongst other topics. He further talks about how gratitude has played a big role in his giving back to the community. Enoch also talks about Black Professionals Scotland - including the challenges he faced in the beginning and why he believes in the mission. Enoch ends this episode with gratitude for his family - parents, wife and other people who have played a big role in his life.

Rapid-fire questions

Favourite book: "Bible" and "Maximize your potentials"

Favourite food: Garri

One subject you'd currently want to know more about: How current technology might shape the future

Favourite word/phrase in another language: "Kiloshele" in Yoruba. It means "what's up"

One leader who is a role model: Enoch's father

First job: Waiter in a hotel in Liverpool

What compliment has made the biggest impression on you: When people tell Enoch that he's a kind person

🧰 Resources mentioned

Books: "Bible" ⁠and ⁠"Maximize your potentials"⁠

In this episode, Samuel engages in a fun and dynamic conversation with Susie, whose career has spanned diverse fields such as cancer research, public policy and innovation, working at the Glasgow commonwealth games (including performing backup vocals at the closing ceremony to an audience of 1.4 billion people) and innovation and storytelling. Through this discussion, Susie sheds light on the significance of seizing opportunities, the transformative power of surrounding oneself with the right people, stepping outside comfort zones, and the immeasurable fulfilment that comes with pursuing one's passions.

The Intersection of Music and Passion:

Making an Impact:

Conclusion:

Rapid-fire questions
Favourite book: The immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Favourite musician: Stevie Wonder
Favourite holiday destination: France 🇫🇷

🧰 Resources mentioned

Books: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks 

🔗 Connect with Susie

⁠⁠🌐 LinkedIn⁠⁠

Susie's bio

Susie came to Glasgow in 1996 to undertake a PhD in cancer research at the University of Glasgow’s Beatson Institute for Cancer Research where she was awarded the John Paul Award for research excellence. She would then become an R&D manager within the NHS, a public policy practitioner for local and national government, and Accessibility and Inclusion lead for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee. She is a champion of diversity in STEM and in 2016 was recognised by Equate Scotland as a Leading Woman of Scotland for her contributions to STEM and Scotland’s advancement. In 2013, Susie became Programme Director for ⁠Glasgow City of Science and Innovation⁠ – a regional innovation partnership that influences regional innovation strategy and delivers impact through a range of pioneering projects and programmes that support greater innovation in business to benefit people, productivity and the planet. Susie is a proud member of the Glasgow International Jazz Festival Board and outside work, is a session musician and a presenter and contributor for the BBC.

Adewale Yusuf is a three-time founder changing the way opportunity is distributed, developed, and democratised across the Continent of Africa. He currently serves as Co-founder and CEO of AltSchool Africa and TalentQL.

In this role, he leads his team in delivering edtech and recruitment products, training thousands of students in software engineering, product development, and tech leadership. Prior to founding TalentQL, he grew Techpoint Africa into the largest media company covering the African tech ecosystem. Adewale gained over a decade of experience building in Africa. He and his team bridged critical gaps, gathering data and insights in reporting, tracking, and African community reporting on founders, fundraising, and future plans.

He currently serves on the board of Life Beyond Disability, a non-profit advocating for the rights and empowerment of persons living with disability in Africa. Adewale believes improving education on the Continent is the key to unlocking the Future of Work, ensuring everyone has access to opportunities that allow them to develop in-demand skills.

Bio credit - https://theflip.africa/contributors/adewale-yusuf

🔗 Connect with Adewale

🌐 Website | 🐦 Twitter | 📸 Instagram

In this episode, Adewale shares his journey from humble beginnings to starting his own companies - Techpoint.Africa, AltSchool and TalentQL. He talks frankly about his upbringing, values of diligence, integrity, faith and challenges. Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks, he never gave up on his dreams and continued to push forward. Adewales's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and determination. Adewale believes that we are all role models and we need to include core values of diligence, excellence, creativity and integrity in our work. His story serves as a reminder that success is not always easy or immediate but requires patience, hard work, and perseverance.
Rapid-fire questions
Favorite food: Smoked firewood jollof-rice
Favorite leader: Nelson Mandela
Most admired company: Apple
Mentors you’d love to meet: Satya Nadella and Elon Musk
Favourite compliment you’ve received: “I’m proud of you” from one of his mentors who has been there from when he was much younger

🧰 Resources mentioned

Books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek

Welcome to "Stories That Shape Us"! My name is Samuel, and I'm the host of this podcast. I believe that every person has a unique story to tell, and that we can all learn and grow from the experiences of others.

Through this podcast, I aim to showcase inspiring stories of real people and the lessons they've learned throughout their lives. From overcoming adversity to achieving great success, each story offers a glimpse into the resilience, determination, and humanity that connects us all.

I started this podcast because I believe that storytelling is a powerful tool for personal growth and social change. By sharing our stories, we can create empathy, understanding, and positive change in the world.

I am passionate about creating a space where people from all walks of life can come together to share their experiences, learn from one another, and inspire each other to be our best selves.

So, whether you're tuning in for a story that speaks to your own life journey, or just looking to gain a deeper understanding of the world around you, I hope you find something meaningful in "Stories That Shape Us".

Thank you for joining me on this journey, and I can't wait to share these inspiring stories with you!